Justin Trudeau to meet with national Inuit leaders today

'We've never had a sitting prime minister come meet us on our terms at our office,' says ITK president

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, shakes hands with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after a Truth and Reconciliation Commission meeting in Ottawa in December. Obed says Tuesday's meeting between Inuit leaders and the prime minister 'shows a great sense of respect that the Canadian government is giving to Inuit.' (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami)

"We've never had a sitting prime minister come meet us on our terms at our office."

Obed said Inuit have struggled in the past 10 to 15 years to be recognized by the previous federal government.

"To have this happen so soon in the new government's mandate really shows a great sense of respect that the Canadian government is giving to Inuit."

Building a constructive dialogue and a meaningful working relationship with the federal government are Obed's main goals at this meeting, but he said advocating for federal funds is also top of mind.

"We're always going to fight for more money for the things that are priorities to us because we know that in a lot of different things it will take money to solve the challenges that we have," said Obed.

Housing, suicide prevention, and infrastructure are a few key areas that ITK will be putting on the agenda. But Obed said for him this is also a time to build on the gains Inuit have made over the past 50 years.

"We have land claims, we have protection in the constitution, we have protection through the UN declaration on indigenous rights," said Obed.

"Incorporating all those things into how government works is going to be just as important as new money for things that are important to us."

Nunavut's fair share

"Transportation, marine development, hydro, broadband, and housing, those are the areas we have to put on priority," said Cathy Towtongie, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI).

Towtongie said she sees this as a chance to advocate for Nunavut's share of the infrastructure funds the Liberals said they would deliver if elected.

"We're meeting with the prime minister to ensure that Nunavut receives their fair share of the $125 billion that was promised over the next 10 years."

Support for Nunavut's growing fishing industry is another issue that Towtongie wants to raise with Trudeau.

Duane Smith, president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, will also be meeting with the prime minister. He was elected chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation on Monday and will formally assume the position at a meeting next month. (David Thurton/ CBC)

"We want our fair share of the quota," said Towtongie, "That's what we've been pushing for and we hope in the future that with the new fisheries minister, Nunavut will get their fair share."

Towtongie said NTI will be advocating to ensure that Nunavut receives some of the $600 million available through the aboriginal fishing strategy, which has not yet been accessible to Inuit.